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NFL
Rams in 2026 are in a similar spot the Vikings were in 1999
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Rams drafted quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, despite Matthew Stafford's recent MVP season. This move mirrors the Minnesota Vikings' 1999 decision to draft Daunte Culpepper while still having a capable veteran in Randall Cunningham.
Key points
- Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick
- Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season
- Rams were a touchdown away from the NFC Championship
- Similar situation to Vikings drafting Daunte Culpepper in 1999
- Culpepper was drafted while Randall Cunningham was still on the roster
Los Angeles RamsMinnesota VikingsTy SimpsonMatthew Stafford
The Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL world by drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick last Thursday for several reasons. Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season, and the Rams were a touchdown away from beating the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game back in January.
We can debate whether or not Simpson should have even been taken that high (he was the 38th-ranked prospect on Wide Left's Consensus Big Board), but the Rams believe they have the coaching staff and infrastructure to maximize Simpson's skillset and make him a capable replacement for Stafford in the future.
So while this pick may not help the Rams in the short-term, it could pay off down the road. They aren't the first team to invest in a young quarterback with a capable veteran already on the roster.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Daunte Culpepper with the 11th overall pick in 1999, even though they still had 35-year-old Randall Cunningham on the roster. Cunningham was coming off a superb season in which he received 14 of 47 MVP votes, helping lead the Vikings to a 15-1 record and to within a field goal of the NFC Championship.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell highlighted other instances in which teams drafted a quarterback in the first round despite having a capable veteran. Barnwell says that the 1999 Vikings may have had the most similar situation to this year's Rams.
Q&A
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson in 2026?
The Rams believe Ty Simpson has the potential to be a capable future replacement for Matthew Stafford, leveraging their coaching staff and infrastructure.
How does the Rams' situation in 2026 compare to the Vikings in 1999?
Both teams drafted young quarterbacks despite having successful veterans on the roster, with the Rams selecting Simpson while Stafford was coming off an MVP season, similar to the Vikings drafting Culpepper with Cunningham still active.
What was Matthew Stafford's performance leading up to the Rams' draft?
Matthew Stafford had an MVP season and led the Rams to the NFC Championship Game, indicating strong performance prior to the draft.
What impact might Ty Simpson's drafting have on the Rams' future?
While Simpson may not contribute immediately, the Rams hope his development will pay off in the long term as a successor to Stafford.
